Pelas frestas das guaritas: cotidiano, comércio e resistência no Presídio do Serrotão

Abstract

This scientific work examined the forms of resistance developed by the inmates of Serrotão Prison in Campina Grande, Paraíba. The research, conducted from the prison watchtowers, revealed the oppressive system of the administrative sector and the inmates' strategies for surviving in that hostile environment. Focusing on the commercial practices of the detainees, the investigation highlighted how they created social interactions, forming a web of relationships among themselves, the prison administration, workers, security agents, and even the external population. The study was built through meticulous fieldwork, observing the inmates in loco and documenting their activities with photographs, enhancing immersion in this universe. Additionally, it included media research and interviews about Serrotão Prison and its stories. Grounded in disciplines such as Anthropology, Sociology, Law, and History, the study provided an in-depth analysis of cases that occurred at the site, describing the daily life of the prison and commerce as a form of prisoner survival. Observing from the watchtowers offered a privileged perspective, revealing how the inmates organized their commercial activities, which involved the exchange of goods such as food, personal hygiene products, and narcotics. These activities not only helped the detainees obtain necessary items for survival but also functioned as a form of resistance to the oppressive system, promoting “solidarity” among them and challenging the prison administration's authority. The commercial practices created an internal economy that benefited not only the prisoners but also impacted the penitentiary agents and administration. In some cases, there was tolerance or covert collaboration by the guards, who could also profit from the internal trade. This resulted in a complex network of interdependence that went beyond the prison's physical barriers, reaching the external community. Family members and friends of the inmates were involved in this system, providing goods and facilitating vital exchanges for maintaining the internal trade. The research also highlighted the importance of social interactions among the inmates and how these were crucial for emotional and psychological survival in such an adverse environment. The construction of interaction networks among the detainees helped them better face the pressures of confinement, creating a sense of collectivity that counterbalanced the dehumanization imposed by the prison system. In summary, the study at Serrotão Prison revealed how inmates develop resistance strategies through internal commerce. Based on direct observation and interdisciplinary analysis, the work highlights the resilience and creativity of the prisoners in an environment marked by repression.